BERKELEY — A person stole a man’s laptop and escaped in a car early Saturday morning, UC Berkeley police said.

The strong-armed robbery happened around 12:17 a.m. at the intersection of Channing Way and Bowditch Street, police said. A man walking east on Channing from Bowditch felt someone grab his laptop from his hand.

The suspect then ran toward a white sedan, and the man followed him, police said. During the chase, the victim tried to grab his laptop back, police said, but was unable to pry it free.

The suspect eventually fled in the sedan and was last seen going south on Bowditch, police said. Berkeley police searched the area without any success.

UC Berkeley police said the suspect was an African-American man with an especially complexion. He was in his early 20s, police said, and approximately 6 feet tall with a slim build. He wore a white-hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, as well as baggy bluejeans, police said.

Police believe the sedan might be a Mercedes.

Police reminded pedestrians with electronic devices to keep them out of public view and to be alert of their surroundings.

Anyone with information is urged to call Berkeley police at 510-981-5900.